Just a couple of months after marking his 70th birthday, basketball icon Miki Berkovich has another reason to celebrate. Israeli Education Minister, Yoav Kisch, revealed on Wednesday that Berkovich, often hailed as the greatest Israeli basketball player of all time, has been awarded the Israel Prize for Outstanding Athletes.
The committee responsible for the award highlighted Berkovich's illustrious career, noting, "Berkovich has an array of titles, medals, and awards to his name. He spearheaded Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball and the Israeli National team to unprecedented successes, propelling Israeli basketball onto the global stage." The committee is chaired by former Beitar Jerusalem star football forward Eli Ohana. Committee members underscored in their citation that "Berkovich has become a legend in Israeli sports due to his remarkable and extraordinary achievements in basketball, both personally and nationally, earning him the title of 'Greatest Israeli Basketball Player of All Time'."
Further, the committee pointed out that "Berkovich's immense influence on sports in Israel and his role as a global ambassador for Israel through sports cannot be overstated. Berkovich is widely regarded as an inspirational figure in every Israeli household, captivating both adults and youngsters alike with his sporting excellence, character, and enduring legacy, even years after his retirement from active play."
"This is the pinnacle of my life's achievements," Berkovich expressed upon learning of his award. "It's a wonderfully unexpected bright spot during a challenging period for Israel and amidst all that is happening around us. The Minister of Education phoned me this morning with this extraordinary news. I wasn't prepared for such a thing. I'm at a loss for words. I've reached this point not just through my performance on the court, but in life itself, and that's the monumental difference.
"My phone hasn't stopped ringing since the announcement. I can only extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their outpouring of praise. The moment I received the news, I was overcome with joy and moved to tears. It's my crowning success, as someone who has contributed to the State of Israel and Israeli sports. I'd like to express my gratitude to all who have supported me over the years, enabling me to voice my opinions and showcase my abilities both in basketball and off the court."
The 70-year-old sporting legend is primarily recognized for his illustrious career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he clinched 16 championships, 13 State Cups, two European Champions Cups, and an Intercontinental Cup. His career also included stints at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Maccabi Rishon Lezion, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he played his final professional game at the age of 40.
The statistics and accolades only scratch the surface of the countless extraordinary moments Berkovich has had on the court. His highlights include winning a silver medal with the national team at the 1979 European Championship, where he was named MVP. Among his 165 international appearances, a standout moment was when he scored the winning basket in a game against World Champion Yugoslavia, leading to a 76:77 victory on the road to the final. Berkovich also secured seven appearances for the European team and guided Israel to gold in the Asian Games in Tehran in 1974.
No American adventure
What about the NBA? Following a standout performance in the European championship, American coach Hubie Brown extended an invitation for Berkovich to join the New Jersey Nets. However, Berkovich was already committed to a two-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The matter found its way to court, where a judge suggested resolution through the signing of a renewed and enhanced contract. Consequently, Berkovich remained with the team that nurtured his talent, forgoing the opportunity to play in the world's premier league.
Interestingly, Berkovich, known as Michael to foreigners, shares his February 17th birthday with THE basketball legend, Michael Jordan, who is nine years his junior. In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth on his 70th birthday, Berkovich recalled, "Michael was only a 19-year-old kid back then. We didn't know him, but we heard about his immense talent and the coincidence that we shared the same birthday. We, the Europeans, won both games, but Jordan undoubtedly stood out among the Americans. I warmly approached him before the game, mentioned our shared birthday, and explained that 'Miki' in Hebrew is essentially 'Michael'. He responded with a smile. I distinctly remember him saying at halftime, 'Hey, mister, you're not a bad player at all.'"